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Genetic assessment reveals inbreeding, possible hybridization and low levels of genetic structure in a declining goose population
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  • Johanna Honka,
  • Serena Baini,
  • Jeremy Searle,
  • Laura Kvist,
  • Jouni Aspi
Johanna Honka
University of Oulu

Corresponding Author:johanna.honka@oulu.fi

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Serena Baini
University of Rome Tor Vergata
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Jeremy Searle
Cornell University
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Laura Kvist
University of Oulu
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Jouni Aspi
University of Oulu
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Abstract

The population numbers of taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis fabalis) have halved during recent decades. Since this subspecies is hunted throughout most of its range, the decline is of management concern. Knowledge of the genetic population structure and diversity is important for guiding management and conservation efforts. Genetically unique subpopulations might be hunted to extinction if not managed separately, and any inbreeding depression or lack of genetic diversity may affect the ability to adapt to changing environments and increase the extinction risk. We used microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers to study the genetic population structure and diversity among taiga bean geese breeding within the Central flyway management unit using non-invasively collected feathers. We found some genetic structuring with the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA between four geographic regions (ɸST = 0.11-0.20) but none with the nuclear microsatellite markers (all pairwise FST-values 0.002- 0.005). These results could be explained by female natal philopatry and male-biased dispersal, which completely homogenizes the nuclear genome. Therefore, the population could be managed as a single unit. Genetic diversity was still at a moderate level (average HE = 0.69) and there were no signs of past population size reductions, although significantly positive inbreeding coefficients in all sampling sites (FIS = 0.05-0.10) and high relatedness values (r = 0.60-0.86) between some individuals could indicate inbreeding. In addition, there was evidence of either incomplete lineage sorting or introgression from the pink-footed goose (A. brachyrhynchus). The current population is not under threat by genetic impoverishment but monitoring in the future is desirable.
29 Jun 2021Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
30 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
30 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
18 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
18 Dec 20211st Revision Received
20 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
20 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
20 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2022Published in Ecology and Evolution volume 12 issue 1. 10.1002/ece3.8547